This weekend Udinese are playing their final home game of the season at Dacia Arena. Ahead of the match Gabriele Cioffi spoke to Udinese TV:
It’s the last game of the season at Dacia Arena. How important is the match against Spezia for both for thanking the fans for their great support but also for climbing the league, given you could still finishing in the top half?
“We’ve got a great reasonability because we represent the city of Udine and the whole of Friuli. As for the league table, I’m not interested in that now. What we are interested in is recognition for how we’ve done since December which has seen us achieve an points average good enough to qualify for Europe. We also dealt with many absentees through Covid in games against Atalanta, Juventus, and Genoa. It’ll be a very proud occasion for us; we’re doing this for ourselves.”
It’s the last game of the season at Dacia Arena. How important is the match against Spezia for both for thanking the fans for their great support but also for climbing the league, given you could still finishing in the top half?
“We’ve got a great reasonability because we represent the city of Udine and the whole of Friuli. As for the league table, I’m not interested in that now. What we are interested in is recognition for how we’ve done since December which has seen us achieve an points average good enough to qualify for Europe. We also dealt with many absentees through Covid in games against Atalanta, Juventus, and Genoa. It’ll be a very proud occasion for us; we’re doing this for ourselves.”
If you win the final two games you’ll achieve the best number of points since 2012/13. Is that something that drives you on?
"We’d like to point out that we’re face an opponent who are playing for their survival; they need to win the game. They’ll be facing a team which is keen to keep a clean sheet or at least score more goals than they do. Both sides will have their moments but we need to be attentive to the flow of the match.”
What do you make of Spezia? They’ve lost four on the bounce but they’re fighting to stay in Serie A. What must Udinese do to overcome them?
“Thiago Motta has established a solid identity in his team. We’re taking inspiration from cycling: it’s seen as an individual sport but each member of the team needs to do well in each individual section of the race. We want to put in a real team performance tomorrow.”
You’ll have to be making adjustments in both attack and defence; Becao will be absent. Will it be a good opportunity for those who normally play less?
“We believe in the group as a whole. We’ve always said that. If any given player isn’t starting games but feels as important as a starter – I’d give the example of Bram Nuytinck here – it means that they’re training hard to get a place in the team and that when they’re called upon they’ll be up to the task. This is exactly what Bram is like.
Nuytinck’s goal against Sassuolo was the 13th scored by a substitute this season. Only Inter better Udinese in this regard. You must be satisfied with that stat, right?
“As I’ve said before, we’ll look at the stats once the season is over.”
“As I’ve said before, we’ll look at the stats once the season is over.”
How do you feel about facing Spezia for the first time as coach, given you played for them?
“I’ll forever remember my time there and the impact Sergio Borgo had on me. Something he always said to me was that defenders need to keep it simple, stay focused, and be relentless. I’ve never forgotten this and I’ll use it with my own players; for me, football is all about simplicity. He also told me that I’d be a great coach.”
How happy are you to be receiving the Maestrelli award on Monday? Did you expect your first season as coach here to go as well as it has done?
“I’m focused on Spezia; ask me again Monday evening.”
“I’m focused on Spezia; ask me again Monday evening.”